79 replies

Wow, you got a lot of comments. That's good we all care about each other. I too am one of those that diabetes saved my life. So I had no time to whine I had to get over it very fast.. As said before I am in the best of health , my A1C is perfect and I have no health issues . I think you have to take it one day at a time. Do I sometimes look at a cake and wonder what it would be like to sit and eat it with a tall glass of cold milk, you bet. If I can't walk away I will buy it for someone else and take a bite! But all in all I sometimes don't even remember I have the disease. But I take care of myself, eat right and have fun exercising. So I'm here to tell everyone, watch what you eat, take control of your body, love yourself, always ask questions and don't give up. Life is so worth every hardship. We have a chance to live our lives, those with cancers do not. We are the lucky ones we should live like it.

Diabetes saved my life! It has been my constant companion for 30 years and as long as I respect it, it respects me! I can't imagine NOT being diabetic and am always sharing with others health tips that everyone can use. I am way healthier than I would have been otherwise, and I carry my successful management of it as a badge of honor! I thought at one point that I was given this disease so that I would go on to help others with it. Nice thought but I have since realized that it has developed in me a deep compassion for the suffering of others and I choose to use this gift in other ways. It is my cross to bear but it has also saved my life!!! Renee :)

You are optimistic and look look on the bright side with what you are given to deal with per say…I kind of needed to hear that, so thanks. My sisters always told me I should talk to youth with diabetes, since I was diagnosed at twelve and am the good "youth counselor" type. I just need to learn to get more truly like you in way. I often remind myself that if I didnt have diabetes that I would probably be alot more unhealthy in certain areas, but than I have to (just recently) throw in how I would be alot more healthy if I didn't have diabetes. I admire everyone here who can look at their diabetes and turn it into a blessig.

That is one thing I Love about this site, all the positive energy flowing. I didn't get depressed when I was told, It was just something else the Devil was using to try to get me down, but like Renee said it made me eat healthier and excercise, something I didn't do before, Doctor said you need to lose weight I thought to myself I need to excercise, it worked too. Lost 75 lbs feeling great, knees hurt all the time but have learned to live with the pain, something else the Devil will not get me down with. I feel God has blessed me, he has brought new and wonderful friends into my life, talking about you guys, that gives me encouragement, laughter, and joy. Sorry I talk too much when I'm happy and excited

Yeah I was told the same thing it was the devils way of trying to get me down. But, I think about what Paul said in the bible that we all have a thorn in our side that we have to bear and our thorn is diabetes. But, as a result of this thorn we are learning to be stronger, wiser, and more patient not just with others but with ourselves. I glad we have a place we can all come to talk, vent, relax and talk to others who carry that same thorn.

Hey Justice! I think I read what you are talking about in the bible, but it was awhile ago, however I remember thinking that one of mine is diabetes also, and that would encourage to go in head first, head strong into this fight against diabetes. Thanks for reminding me of that :) And I am also glad we have this community, our family where we can say anything, and from what I have experienced, not be judged, just be you.

Hey Justice! I think I read what you are talking about in the bible, but it was awhile ago, however I remember thinking that one of mine is diabetes also, and that would encourage to go in head first, head strong into this fight against diabetes. Thanks for reminding me of that :) And I am also glad we have this community, our family where we can say anything, and from what I have experienced, not be judged, just be you.

Roy, you're right about the Devil using diabetes to take your focus off your walk with God. I have to remind myself of this when I am complaining about shots, testing, eating on time, etc. The Devil wants to bring me down to the depths of despair and I refuse!!!!

just work out at the gym it will make f u fell strong and heathier dont matter what problems u have working out with the iron will make u all better will take time but stick with it like i did i used way 295.now iam 145.my goal is 130 my back no longer hurts my feet no longer hurt fell like iam ready to do eneything i play baseball and softball with coworke they tell me all the time amigo great job they push and push me all the time find a support group will work out with u like i did my pastor find a group of guys and ladies who i work out with.so everyone get off your ass and work out take care of your selfs stop felling sorry for your self and do something about it.love u all joe.

I have the feeling you just came from the gym, Joe! Working out does give you such a great rush from the endorphins! I use to be a personal trainer/aerobics instructor and I lived to work out! Don't work out as much as I used to but now that the weather is warming up, I'm planning on getting out and walking/jogging. Thanks for the pep talk! :)

So the past couple of days i have been going low than a couple of hours pass and i'm high when i don't snack…it is getting soooo agrvateing!!!!!! i hope my levels level out it would be the first time in a looong time!!!!i have ran high for so long no matter what i do! but i've been trying to keep my chin up and charging on!!!!it has helped to stay in touch with other diabetec's! i hate when people say "oh i understand" when do they really??? i tell my mom whenever she says that "no you don't" so it is really nice to be in touch with people who honestly truely understand!

Keep moving forward !Set a realistic goal and go for it !Achieving that goal is great but trying to achieving it is much more rewarding, even if at times frustrating but it keeps you active, focused and challenged.( Life ) don't run from it, run towards it !

People who say they understand (even tho we know they really DON'T) often aren't really sure what else to say - all they know is that you're struggling with something that's really hard and they feel badly for you. They understand GENERALLY but not SPECIFICALLY. They know you're dealing with something difficult, but they can't understand/know the details. So I just nod, say 'yeah it's a struggle sometimes, thanks for your concern,' and move on.

You'll discover more and more as you get older that adults don't really have it all together either! (Or maybe you've found that out already! LOL)

I sometimes sink down into a self pity mode, but I try to tell myself it could be worse. Most of the time I try to have positive thoughts and do the best that I can to take care of myself. Having such good friends as the ones with these websites and support groups can be a tremendous help too. Hang in there…

i was dx at age 11 i have been diabetic for 38 yrs it scared me then as i have gotten older it has become a healthy way of life we all have good days and bad i have read all the comments and thanks i know im not alone when bad days come along i appreciate the good ones more hugs julie

Since I have started taking control of my diabetes and found this site, diabetes doesn't bother me anymore. I get excited that my sugars are doing so good and it motivates me to take care of myself. There's alot of support here, and for the first time ever I don't feel alone in the world. I am more accepting of my diabetes and lately, the past month or two, it hasn't bothered me at all.

I did really well with controlling my sugars until about 6 months ago. I don't know what happened but suddenly I was just sick & tired of it all and said screw it. I don't care anymore. Well now I'm paying for it. My feet have gotten really bad. and I now have to take insulin. Who knows what else I've done to myself. What finally woke me up was my granddaughters. I want to see them get married. That's a long time from now and so I have to take care of myself to live that long.

I pretty much can relate to everyone's comments thus far about the mix emotions I have since being diagnosis at 17 also being the only one in my family with the diease to this day. It took me a few years but God showed me part of my calling in life. And that to was to help educate people about the diease. I joined my local American Diabetes Association and started volunteering on the speakers bureau, the step out for diabetes yearly walk and the project power. I was even able to do a commerical for my local Diabetes Education Center because they helped me improve my AC1 so much. If I could help save someones life are give encouregement to a caregiver of a diabetic .Or help raise money to help find a cure for this awful diease then I was doing my part. There are several people at my job that lives were saved because I was able to point the warning signs of diabetes and etc. And honestly I haven't had those fits I did at 1st once I started to pore myself into anything I could related to educating people about diabetes. I'm not perfect there are still times that I'm frustrated but I thank God for being alive and I pray for patience and different ways to deal with my diabetes.

i guess i will have a different outlook than most people on this… i understand why people dont like having diabetes and why people wonder "why me?" but… i have never been upset for even a second about it… i guess im one of those weird people who believe that everything happens for a reason, so there must be some reason why i have diabetes. after graduating highschool and trying to figure out what i wanted to do with my life and going to college and changing my mind about 6 times… no lie… i finally realized i knew why i had diabetes. i was meant to be a nurse… and a diabetic educator… to help newly diagnosed people with diabetes get themselves under control and understand the disease. it took me a while to figure out what the purpose was… but, ive found it… and i think having the disease and knowing how many people im going to help was a blessing. im crazy, i know. haha…

I love your response, Vanessa. It made me think of my own life's journey a bit. I have felt just the way you do — but at different points in my life and about different things.

I also believe that everything happens for a reason. I trust that belief in faith. I don't always get to know the reasons, and I trust that belief in faith, as well.

Our life's journeys are connected. At the very least, I am an open book to others. There is great reciprocity in that, and our teacher/student relationships are mutual.

By most people's standards, I think folks would agree that I have had lots of difficult challenges in my life. I have met so many others with similiar experiences and so much worse. But its all relative… I had the privilege of working with a local college on a project to record the histories of people who survived the Holocaust. I learned a great deal. One thing is that each of our stories are unique, despite those similarities of experience, because WE are unique.

I didn't find your optimism weird or crazy, and I share the belief that there is purpose to our circumstances. One of my siblings once said to me (in laughter AND frustration), "Do I have to learn EVERY lesson through experience?! Can't I just read it from a book once in awhile?" LOL - Thanks for sharing your watershed experience with us. -Anne

im glad that you feel the same way. life is too short to dwell on the bad parts of things- you have to look at the positive of everything. if you have diabetes- think about all the worse things you could have… believe me, there are sooo many. its unfortunate to think of all the bad things that may happen in the long run from diabetes- but.. they just MIGHT happen… it doesnt mean that you are going to have all the complications. we just need to take care of ourselves the best that we can- and hope for the best ;) i love the quote that you said your sibling told you… haha.. its very true.

My first Diabetes Nurse was a diabetic since from the age of 11. She was so good too because she could understand everything we were going through cause she had been through it too. Hope you stick to it. God be with you and help you.

I so completely totally hate this disease, there are not enough words in the English language to convey the depth of my anger, resentment, bitterness, fury at having developed this curse , especially at my age. I am the only one in my family with this curse.

I too am the only one in my family with diabetes. I was diagnosed at 12 and didn't know what it was, just that I had to take shots. It's funny, they use to have to hold me down for shots when I was younger and then I get diagnosed and I didn't have a problem giving myself shots. My sister commented the other day that I get the shit end of the genes: Diabetes and depression and me being the only one in the family. But I am blessed with people that care and the support I find and the technology we have to control it.

From reading most of these I guess I a little bit different than most. I was dianosed 8 years ago and I just told the doctor ok what do we need to do? I have lost 75 lbs. I walk every night and after having 3 knee surgeries it is hard to do sometime. The worst part for me right now is my sugar will go very low and I can't tell when it does no shakes, nothing. the lowest it has been is 40 didn't know couldn't sleep and thought I would check and BINGO, almost went into a panic. The reason I try so hard to keep everything in check, I have a Granddaughter I would like to see graduate and get married. My Strongest help I would say is my Faith In God, He has gotten me thru 62 years of life war and all. I talk to much and get carried away on this Sorry

I guess what I was trying to say, it just depends on your outlook on life, things happen, you can't change you just have to work to make it better, the Love and understanding of people like you make it a lot easier to do. I could be angry with the military, they are the ones that caused me to have diabetes with the agent orange stuff but can't change what happen. Just have to live with it the best I can.

I like your outlook on things Roy. I often have to stop and remind myself to stop the self pity and just do the best I can to take care of myself. We can't change the past, but we can help make the future brighter for ourselves. My faith in God has helped me get along and has lifted me up throughout these years. And I do believe that God does not give us more than we can handle, we just need to ask and search for that strength sometimes, but we all have it.Oh, and watch out with your blood sugars, esp when your sleeping. I have woken up with blood sugars down to 20's and 30's and I barely made it to the kitchen. You can't feel when you are getting low, so I might test right before you go to bed, if you don't already.Take care of yourself.Danni

Roy I would definately let your doctor know what is going on maybe their needs to be some adjustment to your meds especially before bedtime in order to correct your lows from happening so often. You might have already done this but if not I would do it asap. I'm not sure if you see your Primary Care Physician for your diabetes. If so, you should look into getting an Endocrinologist their the experts on this stuff.

I think I over did it that night walking. I walk every night, have a tread mill in my computer room with a DVD player and got totally involved with the movie. I just didn't think it would drop that fast. Has only happened about 4 times in the past 8 years. The 40 was the first time, that's why I almost paniced. Luckily my mother had orange juice in the fridge. Bless her heart she will be 89 this month. When my ex told me to leave my mother wanted me stay with her and glad I did cause she has had problem that would have possibly ended her life if I hadn't been there.

Yesterday I was so tired I spent most of the day sleeping, and the sun was shinning too :( today I am just mad I had being this way, having diabetes, but like all the rest of you I do and have to just keep on exercising, and watching what I put in my mouth. Last night I just wanted to open that bottle of coke I got at Christmas, and drink just one sip that is all i needed, but no I DID NOT DO IT why not I would just feel more like a failure after i finished it. good luck all. Just a bad day, here.

I'm sorry to hear you had a bad day - I hate those! But proud of you that you didn't take a sip…lol sounds like i'm talking to an alcoholic…but even if you did take a sip, you would not be a failure. It's like how everyone has a taste of sweets every now and then, even if it's one measly bite. Don't beat yourself up for having a bad day. Enjoy the present. Don't be too hard on yourself either :)Take care of yourself :)((HUGS))Danni

I feel comfortable. The first time I was told I had diabetes I was out of it, When i say out of it I mean I almost lost my life. The next two days at the hospital I came around. I was very upset, I had so many questions on diabetes.

Don't ever close your mind to learning, to do so will stunt your growth severely !Learn all you can about diabetes and it's complications.The more you know, the better prepared you will be to combat it and be able to live with it.

I have decided that the best way to get "back" at diabetes is to live a very long and very happy life. So I spend my days doing what I can to accomplish that goal.

Sure everyone has their days when you think to yourself, will my meter fit down the toilet? Where can I put all these meds so I can't find them?

But then you think to yourself, well if I dont have any arms or legs I could put them on top of the fridge and then I won't have to get them down again. Or when you think wow what should I do today, and going to dialysis is not one of the things on your list. Or when you see a bird or a rainbow that you love, you realise that once you are blind you won't be able to see that anymore. Then you realise that your meter may fit down the toilet, but maybe it's better not to throw it down there, and mabye leaving your meds on the counter in the kitchen so you see them all the time is a better place to put them.

Thats when you start to tell yourself, I can do this, I can beat diabetes!!

Good reply. For sure, don't toss the meter down the toilet. I dropped and flushed a cell phone before I realized I had dropped it. After 2 weeks of plunging and snaking to no avail, had to buy a new toilet. Took a hammer to the old one, and there it was in the loop !Jim

I apologize for laughing at your post — too funny not to! I wanted to share with you about a friend of mine who still keeps an outhouse on his land. Comes in handy at times!!! One day, my cell phone slipped out of my pocket. I couldn't quite catch it, but I managed to hit it, like a bandmitten birdie. I hit it three times before it landed, JUST missing the hole! I learned a valuable lesson. Your post reaffirms that for me.

I think we all hate it and wish it never happened to us. But then we realize (some sooner than others) that we have to take control and fight the daily battle. You look like a sweet young lady, and this is what breaks my heart to see Babies, Toddlers, and Teens get this crappy disease. You take control, and with some hard work you can manage it and have a good life and do most things others do, with a few lousy interuptions for testing and meds or injections. Welcome to this site, good for you for checking in and asking a question. Keep asking, and sharing, and we can all help each other. Good luck to you, and stay warm in Alaska.Jim

I was diagnosed about 8 weeks ago during a hospital stay in which I was really sick. The diagnosis didn't shock me; I was suspecting diabetes for awhile. I embraced it all with a sort of excitement for feeling better than I had in quite some time. I wanted to make the changes in my diet for good health anyway (for both my husband and I) and this seemed a great push to finally do that. I started feeling better and better from good changes, and that was certainly motivating. I enjoyed learning new things, too — recipes, for example.

It got old fast. It is inconvenient, intrusive, and rakes on my nerves. Having to travel a great deal poses problems I didn't consider initially. After my great start, I fell into denial, anger, why-me-syndrome, etc. At first, I recall wondering how anyone could be in denial about something that has so much evidence?! Then, it happened to me. I denied that anything I did "mattered".

I go up and down now a lot. I'm sure you have all heard this a zillion times, but it is the people on this site that help me most… and frequently. I spent a lot of time reading and posting this weekend and am so grateful to have that opportunity while I struggle. This morning, I need to get moving to work, but I feel much better supported.

Someone wrote that God doesn't give us more than we can handle. That may well be true, BUT… it doesn't reveal that we are given things to handle that require enormous changes in us, or that we need to acquire new skills, or that we handle it while kicking and screaming!!! LOL

I was diagnosed 6 years ago and like some at first I was in denial. And now thanks to that denial I have to "shoot up" 4 to 5 times a day and it gets very frustrating when you hate needles as much as I do. Especially when it seems like I am doing this for nothing because my BS levels still aren't under control. But I finally have an appointment with an endo today and hopefully she can help me get this under control.

so i want to thank everyone it helps to know how more people feel about it! i agree that sometimes i just want to toss my meds across the room…but my dad told me something in the hospital that gets me through "i got diabetes because i am strong enough to have it" and that gets me through

Sometimes I am down right p-o'ed at myself. Sometimes I just to throw my meds thru a window because the side effects make me feel ill. Sometimes I just want to scream when someone says "OMG is it okay for you to eat that?"

I have my good days, and I have my bad days…but at the end of everyday, I am just thankful I'm at least alive. I know i have a lot of work ahead of me and I know if I keep my mind set right I will be okay.

I've had diabetes for 10 years. The diagnosis "scared me straight" - I changed my behavior and began working to manage my diabetes - with all that entails. Apart from this illness, I'm in better shape than I was before I was diagnosed: I've lost weight, eat much better than before (well, MOST of the time, lol), but still have moments when I'm angry and/or scared. All you can do is what you can do: take care of yourself, get the help you need when you need it, and share your questions, thoughts, and feelings with the wonderful folk on this web site.

My grandma always said, "God never gives you more than you can handle." Though sometimes I wonder!

I really think you'll get a different response from everybody. I was diagnosed more than 30 years ago and my first reaction was denial. For several years, I mostly ignored my diabetes then slowly began to pay attention to what I should be doing. It took a stroke followed by a heart attack to really get my attention. By that time, a lot of damage had been done.

Gee, I jumped for joy when I was first told I had this lovely disease. I had waited my whole life to be told I had to stick a needle in my finger a no. of times a day, and that I had to quit eating all the good stuff. And then there was the excitement of knowing I might go blind or lose a limb. It was so thrilling.

I feel damaged. Not that I think that way about anyone else who has it-just me. The fear of losing my limbs stays with me everyday. the idea of losing my sight is with me everyday. (sighs).. but thats just the way it is.

I've had diabetes exactly half of my life, so I don't remember any different. I get angry, irritated and discouraged. Sometimes I want throw my meter across my room and use my syringes as darts, but I don't, mainly because lol, I cant afford to. I can't hold onto that feeling, I try to stay positive even when it's hard to, or else I get all those above emotions which cause stress, which results in high blood sugar. I try to laugh and make jokes about it all, it helps the whole acceptance part and esp when I am discouraged. The future scares me because I didn't take good care of myself when I was younger, so now I am starting to "feel" the results. But if you keep your sugars under control, you have nothing to worry about.

i feel u hate the dam pokes all the time in the gym in the rest room at the ball park i to hate my pills they stink like fish hate it.thats why i work out used have nerve pain then u worked out lost the pounds the pain from my back legs feet are gone.my docter says working out is the best way to beat this plus woking out makes your body strong from in side to the out side yes at frist it hurt bad working out but i keepted fhighting tell the pain easyed away so dont give up the fhight joe